Embracing new healthcare technologies that empower Filipinos

HOW does it feel to see thousands

for hours for free consultation and medicines in health missions? How does it feel to see multiple patients sharing a single, small hospital room? How does it feel when you hear people asking for government help during an epidemic?

Healthcare infrastructure gaps

There is a significant pressure on government and the healthcare

is primarily driven by a growing and ageing population. With an expanding middle class and rising incomes, people are starting to spend more on healthcare. In

Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), received P167.9 billion in fund allocation, up 12.3 percent than in 2016. Yet, access to quality and affordable healthcare, along with a lack of healthcare personnel and outdated technology, remains a daily

The problem of inequity still exists as healthcare remains out of reach for many people in the rural and remote areas. The absence of an integrated health network has had a negative impact on economic and geographic access, as well as

services. To address this, the current administration wants to strengthen health programs and movements

well as to continue developing and building treatment facilities to serve people in remote areas. Currently,

health facilities and physicians to provide quality medical services to its population of more than 100 million Filipinos.

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has the worst bed-population ratio of one bed for

agency’s target of one bed for every 800 people. Even the World Health

for every 200 people. Statistics show that Metro Manila has the best bedto-population ratio of one-per-591, far better than the national average

The Philippines also has a shortage in rural health units ( RHU) and health centers. The ideal target is one RHU per 20,000 people, but our country only has 2,600 RHUs and health centers. Our shortfall in RHUs is easily half of the ideal target.

Technological solutions

to increasing costs, and also impacts economic productivity. Illnesses, medical complications and even the most common noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases ( heart attack and stroke), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases ( e. g. chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma), cannot be readily addressed.

To overcome distance and geographic barriers, one solution is the use of telemedicine, or the use of telecommunications and information technology to serve and provide clinical healthcare from a distance. Health professionals and patients are able to communicate through video, and medical and health information can be emailed from one site to another.

On the other side of the world, technological advances are happening at exponential levels, and basic telemedicine tools are affordable and easily available. Expectations for more convenient care and the unavailability of overburdened medical professionals have led to the rise of telemedicine companies. One can have live health check-ups and consultation through social media, such as Facebook, or through

less waiting time, less cost and time in traveling to nearby health centers, and immediate access to prescription for certain conditions.

Medical applications are useful tools for mobile clinical communication, patient education, and remote monitoring of patients. Some applications also provide drug references and medical calculators to help patients in researching for doctor’s prescription and to assess their own health condition. Weight loss and maintenance applications